Page 52

Iinhaled deeply as a sharp pain travelled down my neck.

“Ahh,”

A soft cry escaped my lips, and it felt like my whole body froze.

I lifted my lashes slightly, only for the brightness sneaking through the cracks of the bed’s curtains to invade my eyes.

Stretching my legs sent a shivering wave of pain through me, and I pressed my palms against my face, trying to escape the lingering pull of my dreamland.

When I finally opened my eyes, my gaze landed on my husband lying peacefully beside me.

His arm was draped around my waist, holding me close, and a faint smile touched my lips.

His face looked so calm, almost innocent in his sleep.

My head was resting on his biceps, and as I tried to move closer, a cry slipped out again, the soreness holding me still.

He stirred, inhaling a deep breath, and slowly opened his sleepy eyes to look at me.

“Are you okay?”

he asked, his voice low, gravelly with sleep.

I nodded slightly.

Without a word, he pulled me closer effortlessly until my forehead pressed against his chest.

Our naked bodies touched, and he guided my leg gently over his hip, tucking me into him.

He touched my chin, lifting it tenderly, locking our eyes.

His gaze had something different—a softness, a glow I had never seen before.

He leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on my lips.

I fluttered my eyes closed at the tenderness of his mouth on mine.

When he pulled back, his hand beneath my head shifted to caress my back with slow, careful strokes.

“Are you okay, ?”

he asked again, and I nodded, though my body betrayed me with tiny, trembling breaths.

His eyes searched mine, and his hand slid from my chin to my waist, pulling me closer until our lips brushed again.

With my legs parted, I could feel him hard against me, and my cheeks heated in response.

His gaze deepened.

“Are you sore?”

he asked in a husky voice, his lips brushing against mine, and I nodded shyly.

He bit his lip, holding back something primal, and then, with aching slowness, he shifted and gently rolled me beneath him.

His body caged mine, and my eyes blinked at him, timid and unsure.

He leaned closer, his voice promising, “I'll be gentle this time. I swear,”

I swallowed nervously as he moved lower, pressing soft kisses down my chest, my stomach, and further.

“Rudra,”

I breathed, my fingers tangling in his hair as he kissed his way to my most sensitive place, sore yet desperate for his touch.

He parted my legs more.

And the moment his lips touched me, a violent shiver ran through my body, and a loud moan escaped before I could stop it, my head falling back helplessly.

As he flicked his tongue out, delving it into my wetness, steadily licking, I clamped onto the bedsheet to keep myself from vanishing entirely into the realm of sensations.

“Ohhh… Rudra,”

I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth to muffle the sounds.

“No,”

he muttered against my skin, sending vibrations.

“I want to hear you,”

“Wha...what?”

I stammered, but he sucked harder, making me jolt under him.

“I said I want to hear my name,”

he growled, “while I do all of this to you,”

Shivering uncontrollably, I moved my hand away from my mouth, and he leaned in again and sent me spiralling, teasing me, tasting me, devouring me until my release hit.

My body shook, and my legs trembled, mouth panting open.

His eyes met mine as he licked me one last time, slowly and deliberately.

I mewled as he kissed my waist softly before pulling back.

His lips were red, glistening with me, and his hair fell messily over his forehead as he looked at me like a starving predator.

He sat up, caressing my thighs, and with one swift pull, he dragged me closer.

“Please...be gentle,”

I begged, my voice trembling.

He spat into his hand, stroking his erect manhood, and I bit my lower lip at the sight, overwhelmed by how hungry and masculine he looked.

He shook his head.

“No.

Keep your eyes open,”

he commanded, voice deep and rough.

“And don’t you dare cover your voice,”

“Understand?” he asked.

I nodded, my whole body flushed, heart pounding wildly.

He placed himself at my entrance and pushed in slowly, carefully, but the stretch still made me whimper.

A soft, aching cry slipped out, but it wasn’t just pain; I felt pleasure too, raw and consuming.

He began moving his hips slowly, carefully, his chest heaving with effort.

I watched the fine muscles of his abs flexing, the dark line of hair leading down his stomach, the V-cut of his hips.

My cheeks burned hotter just seeing him, my husband, my Rudra.

I had never, even in my wildest imagination, thought he’d get so intense while making love to me, turning me into a moaning mess.

His thrusts grew more profound, steady and hypnotic, moving my body with his.

“I want to do something...

really bad,”

he said suddenly.

“Aahhhhhhh, wh...

what?” I panted.

He cupped my neck gently, making my lashes flutter closed.

His hand was so hot, so possessive, against my skin.

“Just once,”

he whispered, “please,”

I nodded weakly, surrendering everything to him.

His grip tightened around my throat just enough to make me lose my last shred of sanity.

I moaned wildly, no longer able to hold anything back.

His movements grew faster, harder, rougher, and I gave myself to him completely.

Our breathing grew ragged, wild.

He finally loosened his hand from my throat, and I gasped for air, panting uncontrollably.

“Aaaa… Rudra,”

I sobbed his name, a desperate cry from the core of my being.

He didn’t stop until my knees shook uncontrollably and my body cried out in exhaustion.

“Pleaseeee...

aaaahhh... no more,”

I finally gasped.

At once, he pulled out, and I shivered from head to toe.

I couldn’t match his strength.

He was just too much for me.

I was utterly spent.

A tear slipped from the corner of my eye.

He immediately collapsed beside me, unfinished, pulling me into his arms protectively.

I straightened my legs, still trembling, and turned to him.

“I’m sorry...

I can help you finish,”

I whispered shyly.

He pulled me closer and kissed my forehead. “Never,”

he said firmly.

I looked up at him, seeing the wild pounding of his chest and the sweat glistening on his forehead.

“You've ruined me, .

You've made me insane for you,”

he said, and a shy, shaky smile crept onto my lips.

“Would you mind...

a slow finish?”

I asked gently.

He smiled, his thumb brushing my cheek.

“You’re already sore," he said, voice thick with love, “And I don’t want you fainting...

especially with your brother visiting the kingdom,”

He said, and I smiled.

“Don't worry.

I would love to faint and expect nothing less from you,”

I said, trying to straighten myself up.

A terrible pain and muscle strain shot through my body.

He immediately helped me sit, adjusting his back on a pile of pillows against the headboard.

He gently gathered me into his arms, and slowly, I took him in.

My eyes filled with tears.

“Don't touch me for at least six months after this,”

Tears rolled down my cheeks, and he smiled a little, pulling me even closer.

“As you wish, my Queen,”

He placed a tender kiss on my cheek, sucking away the tears while making me shift against him.

His hands wrapped protectively around me, and his fingers gently ran through my open hair.

Surprisingly, it wasn't tangled anymore; I only noticed it now.

“Did you...

untangle my hair?”

I managed to ask.

He placed his lips softly on my neck. “Yes,”

he murmured, and I felt the ticklish warmth of his breath against my skin.

“Shall I start moving, little love?”

he whispered.

I pressed my lips against his neck.

“Yes...

gently, please,”

I muttered.

He deepened his kiss on my neck, and my fingers gently found their way to fist into his back.

Our naked bodies melted against each other as he slowly started moving me onto his lap.

The pain still lingered, but the pleasure growing within me slowly overshadowed it.

My mind oozed into a daze, and my eyes teared up again, overwhelmed.

He pressed his lips against mine and muttered against them, “I swear, no one could ever handle me the way you do, ,”

I smiled and captured his lips fully, whispering against them, “I love you, Rudra,”

“You completed me, ,”

he muttered, his forehead against mine.

“I always knew there was a hollowness inside me...

but now, I don't feel it anymore,”

I smiled warmly, our bodies moving together, our hips in sync.

The slow intensity built until I longed for another release, feeling hot and wild under his touch.

He smiled, looking at me, his voice low and full of adoration.

“I love it when you get needy,”

he teased.

Unable to resist, I bit his lips gently but firmly.

He only smiled against the bite, cupping my nape to keep me close.

Our foreheads touched again, and the movement between us grew faster, more frantic, our bodies dancing.

The sound of my anklets grew wilder, mingling with our heavy breathing, until finally, we both had our release together, making me moan and him groan.

I felt his warmth fill me as my whole body shook and collapsed against him.

He immediately pulled me into his arms, wrapping the comforter around us.

Still panting hard, he clapped twice to call for the attendants.

I struggled to focus on breathing when I heard a voice from beyond the curtains.

“Ji, Ranaji,”

she called.

“Prepare a hot bath for us,”

he said.

“And warm the massage oil for Ranisa.”

I immediately looked at him, wide-eyed.

“Massage oil?” I asked.

He nodded, his voice tender.

“Yes.

You'll feel better with it,”

“You're not going to massage my body, are you?”

I asked shyly.

He kissed my forehead and said, “I don't trust anyone else when it comes to caring for you after we make love.

It's only my right, and my duty,”

Lowering my gaze, I hugged him tightly.

“God, I never knew someone like you existed,”

I whispered.

He chuckled.

“Me neither,”

I chuckled harder with him.

“Thank you so much, Rudra,” I said.

He lifted my chin with his finger and asked, “For what?”

I bit my lower lip, smiling softly.

“For going insane and wild for me.

For making me feel like I have the power to tame a beast,”

He chuckled deeply.

“Aww, you do tame a beast, with that tiny body and mesmerising eyes,”

I smiled wider.

“But...

I also hate you for making me cry,” I pouted.

He gently caressed my head.

“I'm sorry, but I can't help it,”

he whispered.

I kissed his chest.

“And I love that,”

I admitted.

Suddenly, we heard the attendant's voice again, calling from afar, “Ranaji, massage oil,”

“Leave it on the table,”

Rudra ordered.

“Close the door, and don't let anyone inside without permission,”

He pressed a slow kiss to my lips as the sound of anklets faded away and the door clicked shut.

“Let's do it again,”

he murmured against my lips.

I immediately pushed him away, eyes wide.

“You want me dead?!”

He chuckled heartily and stood up, parting the curtains so sunlight flooded the chamber.

Wrapping a towel around his waist, he picked up the bowl of massage oil from the table and returned to the bed.

He sat at the edge and pulled at the comforter.

“Move it aside,” he said.

I clutched the comforter closer.

“I'm naked,”

I protested.

He smirked.

“And I've seen it all, little wife,”

Blushing furiously, I finally let him pull the comforter aside and lie comfortably, though I still grabbed a corner of the comforter to cover my middle.

He smiled knowingly and began rubbing the oil between his palms.

His hands touched my feet, moving in slow, circular motions.

I already felt like I was floating in heaven.

“Where did you learn this?”

I asked, curious.

He smiled mischievously, now rubbing up my legs with firmer strokes.

“You don't want to know, little bird,”

I furrowed my brows.

“Yes, I do,”

He shook his head. “No,”

Playfully, I kicked his chest and insisted. “Yes!”

He chuckled, his touch becoming even firmer. “No,”

His repeated denial started making something churn in my stomach.

My heart raced as a sudden suspicion took hold of me.

“Wait, a moment…”

I said, my voice tightening.

“You had an affair before me?!”

He thinned his brows with a smile and chuckled deeply.

“Are you mad?”

he said, and I inhaled a breath of relief.

“Then tell me,”

I insisted, watching his face shift from a playful smile to a more serious expression.

“It was Uncle,”

he said quietly.

“He used to teach me about massages.

Apart from being a king's guard, I was also a masseur, an attendant, and a servant,”

A wave of sadness travelled down my heart.

“Then why didn't you kill him, Rudra? Why leave him rotting in the cellar? He deserves to be beheaded,”

I said with pain threading my voice.

He looked at me calmly.

“I wanted to kill him when I found out he had dared to lay his dirty hands on you.

But he didn't actually touch you...

So he isn't a criminal in that sense. Also,”

he paused, “no matter how badly he treated me, we share the same blood.

I couldn't kill family.

But I couldn't free him either,”

I smiled faintly at his words.

“Sometimes, it feels like I’m not talking to the wrathful, mighty Rudra, but to a mature, peaceful Ranaji,”

I said softly.

He chuckled at that.

Suddenly, he pulled me closer and kissed my toes, making me giggle.

His hands were now massaging my thighs.

“You might not feel it now, but soon it’s going to hurt,”

he warned.

I frowned and asked, “How are you so sure?”

He smiled while working his hands in long, warm strokes along my legs.

“Unlike you, I exercise,”

he teased.

I gasped, offended.

“How rude!”

I pouted, and he just chuckled deeper.

He continued massaging my body, my legs, waist, lower abdomen, midriff, arms, wrists, back, and neck, one by one, patiently and thoroughly.

By the time he gently turned me onto my stomach, I felt utterly exposed.

But somehow, his steady hands and the way he treated my body with such calmness made me feel warm, safe, and accepted.

For once, I wasn’t self-conscious.

Once he finished, he said softly, “We’ll bathe soon.

The oil will ease your muscle pain,”

I nodded, feeling dizzy and heavy with sleep. “Okay,”

I mumbled.

I heard him chuckle and say, “Don’t you dare fall asleep now, little wife.

Your brother’s here in the palace,”

he warned.

I smiled lazily and placed my head on his lap.

His fingers lightly ran through my hair, and his touch made me feel more beautiful.

I didn’t even realise when I drifted into sleep.

When I woke up, he was gently shaking me.

“Hey, little bird, get up.

Duty calls,”

he whispered.

I stretched my arms and hugged his waist tightly.

“Take me to the bath,”

I muttered sleepily.

I felt him chuckle and then lift me easily into his arms.

I barely opened my eyes until the warm water touched my body, and with it, a sharp, burning pain in my core.

As I let out a faint cry, he gently rubbed my back.

“It will ease soon,”

he said softly.

I leaned back against his chest, wrapping his arm tightly around me.

His lips brushed against my ear, and the warmth of the water, the sound of his breath, the steady beat of his heart wrapped around me like a living cocoon of love.

I had always wondered what being married to Rudra would be like.

I had thought it would not be easy.

That he would dominate me, and there would be no softness.

I thought life wouldn't be a bed of roses with him.

But here I was, gladly submitting myself to a Rudra who was both possessive and tender, both rough and gentle, both dominant and vulnerable.

In that moment, when his arms were wrapped around me, his breath tickled my ear, and his hands soothed my aches, I felt truly alive.

A life I had chosen bravely, one I wanted to live with all my heart.

If he fought, I would fight back.

If he loves, I would love back.

If storms came, we would weather them together because it was easy to move on with another man after a betrayal.

But not when your soul belonged to someone already.

We have just one soul.

So it is only right to be careful who you give it to.

I knew Rudra loved me.

Because the mind can lie, and even the heart can be tricked.

But the voice inside your soul never lies.

I felt him inhale deeply as we remained in the bath in silence, our bodies talking in ways words could never have.

He wasn't more than I, and I wasn’t any less.

We were equals, and that was the beauty of our bond.

It is beautiful when you give your everything to someone, and that person returns it with their everything, too.

It is truly the best feeling one can feel in life.

When we finally stepped out of the bath, sunlight poured into the chamber, making our skin glow.

We laughed and helped each other get dressed, the world outside waiting for the King and Queen, but inside these nine-parted chambers, we were just two people in love, just Rudra .

I was happy we were trying our best, not bringing our titles, recognitions, and achievements inside the chamber, because everything else falls away where love exists.

It needs no title, no recognition, no religion, no culture.

It is pure and is empowered.

But to live, love is not sufficient.

It is a hope, yes, a burning flame that gives us a sense of comfort, purpose, and the joy of being alive, and yet ruins us in ways we can’t imagine.

For love, it is malleable, shaped by circumstances and choices.

It adapts to the way we want.

If we choose to fight the world and claim the person we love, it is strength, and if we make ourselves stronger, letting the other person go, yet keeping our love alive in our heart, it is freedom, sacred.

Love is beautiful, yet so wrathful.

Love can either make us or break us.

And we had seen both sides of it.

We witnessed its beauty and its wrath.

It broke us, and it made us.

We looked into each other’s eyes.

It was mesmerising as he leaned in and kissed me softly, sending butterflies fluttering inside me.

I giggled, feeling alive.

“You’re glowing, little wife,” he said.

I chuckled.

“All thanks to your ten years of hard work,”

He burst into laughter, and I joined him, heart full.

I watched him take a pinch of vermilion and press it into the parting of my hair with utmost care.

“Mine, finally,”

he said, his voice a whisper.

I smiled and blushed deeply.

He looked so handsome in maroon.

I stood on my toes and kissed his cheek.

“Mine too,”

I said, grinning.

Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door.

“Come in,”

Rudra called.

An attendant entered with a bowl in her hands.

He took it from her and said, “You may leave.

And shut the door behind you,”

She bowed and left quietly.

I frowned a little.

“What’s this?”

I asked, curious.

I asked, and he placed the bowl on the table.

His face turned a little serious.

“Birth control,” he said.

I looked at him, surprised. “What?”

“You are too young for a baby, ,”

he said, his voice calm but firm.

I swallowed slightly.

“But...

you’re not,”

I said softly.

“I know,”

he said, “but we still have a lot to figure out,”

“In what terms?”

I asked, frowning.

He clicked his tongue.

“This is all new for me—this royal life, being a king.

You’re used to it, but I’m still learning.

I don’t want our child to suffer the way I did.

If we’re going to bring a new life into this world, it should be because we choose to, with full hearts, not by accident,”

I knitted my brows, trying to understand.

“I don’t get you,” I said.

He gulped and looked away for a moment before speaking again.

“My father had so many wives.

So many children.

What were we? What are we now—the three of us? Ranvijay, Agastya, and I? He didn’t want us.

We were just... born, a byproduct of pleasure. I see it everywhere, even now—young kids suffering because their parents weren't ready. They bring children into this harsh world without even a thought about raising them right. Why call a soul into life if you can't love it properly? Why create a life only to neglect it?”

His eyes turned misty, his voice trembling.

“Why do children have to be the outcome of a pleasurable act? Some people yearn for kids, and such people deserve them, not the ones who do not even provide them with the comforts and the joy they deserve.

My father never understood the responsibility of having children,”

he spoke, his lips trembling.

“And I’m not my father.

I don't want that for our children.

I don’t want to bring a child into this world when I know we’re still finding our ground.

I want our children to have everything we never had,”

he finished.

Hearing the rawness in his voice, I immediately stepped forward and hugged him tightly.

“I know,”

I whispered.

“I understand...

and I’m proud of you for thinking this way.

Children are blessings.

They deserve to be wanted, not just born out of a moment of pleasure,”

He wrapped his arms around me tightly.

“I love you so much, .

But...

if you truly want children now, I’ll still do everything I can to give you, and them, the best life,” he said.

I pulled back slightly, frowning. “Them?”

He smiled, a hint of playfulness creeping back.

“Yes, them.

At least six to ten children!”

My mouth fell open. “No!”

He chuckled. “Yes!”

I shook my head vigorously.

“No way.

I’m done!”

“What?! Why?!”

he exclaimed, laughing.

“I am so done with you!”

I said, pretending to be furious.

He laughed harder and pulled me close.

“Just joking,”

he said, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

“Whatever you want, little wife, I will obey,”

I smiled as he gently nudged the bowl back into my hands.

“The soup is getting cold, ,” he said.

I inhaled deeply and took a sip—

“Yuccckkkkkkkk!”

I gagged immediately, feeling like throwing up.

He chuckled, taking the bowl to taste it himself.

“It’s good,”

he said, amused.

I shook my head dramatically. “Noooo!”

Still laughing, he handed it back to me.

I forced myself to finish it somehow.

“I’m never drinking this again,”

I said, grimacing.

“You better learn to pull out!”

He burst into laughter again, just as there was a loud knock on the door.

“Looks like your brother is awake,”

Rudra said, pulling me close for a forehead kiss.

I smiled up at him and whispered, “Come.

Let’s make things right again,”

He nodded, and we walked to the door together after one last glance in the mirror.

When I opened it, there stood Abhinandan, his hair messy, looking like he had just gotten out of bed.

His gaze travelled from me to Rudra, his expression twisting in disgust.

“Why are you always around her?”

he asked Rudra.

In return, he smiled and casually stepped forward.

“Because she always needs me,”

he said smoothly.

Abhinandan frowned deeper.

“Why do you always need him?”

he asked me.

I bit my lower lip, understanding Rudra’s teasing undertone.

I didn't answer.

Instead, Rudra placed a hand on Abhinandan’s shoulder and said, “Because I’m the only one who can fulfil all her nee—”

“Shut up, Rudra!”

I cut him off quickly.

He chuckled.

“Alright, I’ll leave you two alone.

Please, don’t fight over me,”

he teased.

“Oh, don’t flatter yourself,”

Abhinandan muttered under his breath.

Rudra just smiled and walked away.

I looked at Abhinandan, sighing. “Idiot,”

he grumbled, and I chuckled.

“Come, Nandan,”

I said, returning to the couch.

He followed, sitting beside me with a frustrated sigh.

After a heavy pause, he finally asked, “Are you okay?”

I nodded.

“Are you?”

He nodded back, but the stiffness in his body betrayed him.

He lifted his worried gaze and said, “You could have told me, ,”

I exhaled deeply. “I know,”

I nodded.

“I could’ve.

But everything happened so fast...

and I was afraid.

I thought everyone would judge me for falling in love with the son of our enemy,”

He shifted closer.

“I’m sorry I didn’t build enough trust for you to feel safe telling me,”

he said softly.

I shook my head.

“It wasn’t about trust, Nandan.

You and everyone else gave me love and comfort.

It’s just that at that moment, I was waiting for him to talk to Father properly.

I was so in love with him. And then... everything fell apart so suddenly—”

“Suddenly, he broke your heart...

and you still forgave him,”

he said, cutting me off with a pained voice.

I bit my lower lip, feeling the sting of those words.

I nodded.

“Yes.

He broke my heart...

and I still forgave him. Because he admitted he was wrong. Because he tried to win my heart back,”

I said quietly.

“Why break the heart if you want to win it back?”

Abhinandan asked bitterly.

I shook my head again.

“I don’t know, Nandan.

I just know I love him...

and he loves me.

I never saw my life with anyone else,”

I tried reasoning.

“And yet he played with you, dumped you, and used you for his sick games,”

he said, his voice shaking.

I shook my head firmly.

“That’s not true.

He didn’t know about his father,” I said.

Abhinandan let out a short, bitter laugh.

“You may call it anything, all I understand is that he doesn't deserve you, .

And it’s not too late to rethink your decision.

He could be anything but a good husband.

He played with you, used you, and I don't understand how you can forgive him just like that,”

he said, frustration etched across his face.

I lowered my gaze, feeling my heart grow heavy.

Tears threatened to fall from my eyes.

“I don't know, Nandan,”

I said.

“But I feel complete when I am with him, close to him.

It makes me feel happy from within,”

I took a moment to put it in words.

“He might not be the perfect husband, or even perfect at all, but he’s the best lover one could ever have,”

Exhaling heavily, I turned completely to him.

“You see, Nandan, someone who holds the power to break you and still make you whole...

there’s something so profound about that.

I don't know what energy he radiates, but I have always belonged to him.

From the moment I laid eyes on him to the last moment I’d see him, I would belong to him—in good and in bad times, in love, and even in pain. Because love isn't always blooming and beautiful. It hurts, sometimes, it breaks you, it moulds you, it defines you. It holds you and it makes you. And I’m lucky enough to have seen it all,”

I furrowed my brows, explaining what I truly felt.

“Perfect, dreamy love is just a phase; real love is much deeper than that.

What you see in him is different from what I see in him.

The way he looks at me like I’m the last person he ever wants to see...

the way he smiles around me, as if I’m the only reason he’s happy... the way he cares for me, as if he feels solely responsible for me... the way he holds back from overpowering me, as if he would give up anything for me... It’s so beautiful, thrilling, overwhelming, almost,”

A gentle smile tugged at my lips as I looked at my twin, listening to me intently.

“I have seen every side of him—the good, the bad, the dangerous, the gentle—everything.

Never has anyone been so transparent with me as Rudra has.

He doesn’t love me because I love him; he just loves me unconditionally.

And so I can never hate him. I can get angry, yes, but hate? Never. Because I know, my soul knows, I belong to him,”

I finished, drawing a deep breath.

A single tear slipped down my cheek as memories of our first meeting flooded my mind.

“Oh,”

Nandan breathed, frowning.

“Sounds like trouble to me,”

he added playfully, making me chuckle.

“Shut up,”

I warned lightly, wiping my tears away.

“Come here,”

he said, shifting closer, pulling me into a hug.

“Let bygones be bygones.

If you are happy and healthy, that’s all that matters to me,”

he said warmly, and I smiled, closing my eyes.

“But,”

he added mischievously, “I hope he doesn’t trouble you too much,”

I suddenly laughed.

“No, not much.

But I trouble him a lot,”

I said, and he burst into laughter.

“I wouldn't expect anything less,”

he said, still laughing.

“Do you remember when the three of us went hunting, and it suddenly rained?”

he asked, and I nodded eagerly.

“Yes! And Rudra slipped in the mud, and while helping him, you slipped too,”

I added, and we both laughed hard at the memory.

Our conversations continued until late morning, and soon I asked the attendant to bring breakfast for Abhinandan.

“Ask for him too, let's eat together,”

he said, and I smiled, asking the attendant to call Rudra as well.

After a while, Rudra joined us, and the three of us sat down to eat.

“Seems like things are good again between you two,”

Rudra teased, and I nodded, smiling brightly.

“Yes, seems like it,”

I replied.

He grinned, and suddenly Abhinandan said, “But honestly, it would've been better if you hadn’t come into our lives,”

he joked, laughing while chewing his food.

“Ask your sister to say that,”

Rudra shot back, smirking at me.

Their banter filled the room with laughter, and just seeing them together again brought happy tears to my eyes.

“By the way, when are you two planning to make me an uncle?”

Abhinandan asked out of nowhere, and I instantly glanced at Rudra, who gave a shy smile, blushing a little.

My cheeks warmed up as memories from the early morning resurfaced in my mind.

“Not anytime soon,”

Rudra said firmly.

“Why? Are you impotent?”

Abhinandan teased, and my eyes widened in shock.

Rudra shot a glare at him.

“Shut up, Abhi,”

he growled.

“Or what?”

Abhinandan challenged playfully.

“I have your secrets,”

Rudra said darkly.

“What secrets?”

I immediately asked, suspicious.

They both glanced at each other, exchanging quick looks, but said nothing.

“Tell me. Now,”

I insisted.

Their eyes widened as if they'd suddenly remembered I was sitting there.

“What? I said, Tell me what you're talking about,”

I repeated firmly.

“You can't,”

Abhinandan said quickly to Rudra, but Rudra replied softly, “She’s my wife.

She’s asking,”

I gritted my teeth.

“Don't tell me it’s about a girl,”

I warned, narrowing my eyes.

Rudra bit his lower lip.

“So, it is about a girl! And if I’m not wrong, it’s about Rudra’s sister, isn’t it, Nandan?”

I asked sharply, looking at Abhinandan.

He clicked his tongue and smiled nervously.

“It’s nothing serious,”

he said hurriedly.

I lowered my gaze for a moment and then looked at Rudra, whose shocked face gave away that it was indeed serious.

“Rudra, do you know anything?”

I asked again.

He looked at me, then at Abhinandan, then back at me, and again at Abhinandan.

“What the hell are you two hiding?”

I asked, growing angrier.

“I think...

I do, ,”

Rudra said finally, and Abhinandan immediately cut in,

“No, it’s nothing! She’s getting married soon anyway!”

he said hastily, trying to cover up.

Now I was utterly shocked.

Rudra’s face screamed seriousness while Abhinandan was trying to brush it off.

I could feel there was something they weren’t telling me.

“Ranaji,”

an attendant’s voice interrupted, and we all turned toward her.

“Yes?”

Rudra responded.

“Guruji has come to meet you and Ranisa,”

she said respectfully, and Rudra looked at me with amused eyes.

“What? Guruji?”

he asked, surprised.

We all quickly got up and made our way to the guest chamber.

I pulled my veil down properly and followed Rudra and Abhinandan.

As we entered, Rudra and I bent down to touch Guruji’s feet.

He blessed us warmly.

“May God bless you with a beautiful and brave son,”

he said kindly.

Abhinandan also bent down to take his blessings.

Guruji smiled warmly and then handed Rudra a scroll.

“With the grace of God, we have found an eligible bachelor for our Trisha.

We have decided to marry her on the twentieth day of next month,”

he announced.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Abhinandan’s face turn pale at the news.

I watched Rudra, who smiled and accepted the invitation with reverence, touching it to his forehead.

“We will surely come, Guruji,”

Rudra said, and Guruji smiled warmly.

“Prince Abhinandan, I have also visited Mahabaleshgarh to invite your family.

I will be delighted if you would join us as well,”

he added, and Abhinandan managed to plaster a polite smile.

Yet, I could sense something was off.

“Ji, Guruji,”

Abhinandan replied courteously.

Guruji then turned his attention to Rudra and spoke, “Rudra, this week is very auspicious for the coronation of the new king and queen.

You should consider performing the Yagna soon.

The longer the delay, the more people might believe you invaded Suryagarh unjustly,”

Rudra nodded respectfully, “Ji, Guruji.

I will definitely consider it.

However, there are a few matters I must resolve first,”

Guruji smiled in understanding, and Rudra added, “You must rest now, Guruji.

I will personally ensure everything you need is arranged,”

Guruji blessed us again, and we took our leave.

As we stepped out of the chamber, Abhinandan suddenly said, “I have to go,”

I turned to him, surprised.

“What? Why?”

He raked a hand through his hair and shook his head, clearly troubled.

“Something urgent,”

he muttered before hastily leaving, not giving me the chance to ask anything more.

Rudra, too, disappeared somewhere, and I was left standing there alone, confused.

***